She picked the letter up to read it again, taking comfort in the few words that Mary wrote, and most particularly the plea from Samuel. Time passed in her musing, and she forgot all about her lesson until the shadows grew long and the silence overwhelmed her. Kitty sat up with a start. Oh dear. She hoped Craddock would pardon her forgetfulness. Her lesson would have to be for another day.
11
Phineas let his thoughts wander with the sway of the carriage. When Kitty stood on the driveway at their parting, she had tightened her hand in his; and when he’d turned her hand to kiss the inside of her wrist, her skin was as soft as silk. Their eyes met, and he saw in hers the same pull of attraction that he felt. It had taken one look in those eyes for him to want to pull her into his arms, never mind the servants.
He scarcely noticed the ride to Bath and thought about nothing but Kitty—her expressions, her voice, her figure, her laugh … His desire for his wife might have felt like an obsession were it not for the fact that she was his wife. There was no second-guessing about whether she would have him—no threat of pain. Phineas had already won her, and he needed only conquer the last stronghold before she was his. If only it did not seem quite so insurmountable.
What would their children look like? Would they have her serious gaze? If they did, they would be the sweetest things. Perhaps his son would have his tousled hair with that tendency to stick up in odd directions, but surely one day some woman would love him anyway despite that? Phineas laughed at himself for such a ridiculous notion—worrying about whether his future sons would find love. In any case, there was much to give him hope for his own marriage.
He did not stop at his parents’ home before going directly to Mr. Parkson, his father's man of business. His own man, Carter, had gone on leave to care for his ailing parents and was unavailable. Fortunately, Phineas knew Parkson well, having frequently consulted him on Midlington affairs his father had left in his care. It was a simple matter, Parkson assured him, to find a steward willing to relocate to Giddenhall, and one who could be relied upon. Phineas could leave the matter in his hands, and Parkson would send the new steward to present himself the following week. That accomplished, Phineas set out for his parents’ townhouse.
“Good afternoon, my lord. It is a pleasure to see you.” Seamus took his hat, cane and gloves. “Might I felicitate you on your marriage? It appears to agree with you. You look very well.”
“Thank you for your kind wishes. As you say, I am doing well.” Phineas smiled, adding, “Are my parents at home?”
“Your mother is in the drawing room, I believe, and your father is in his study. Shall I inform them both that you are here?”
“Please do. Have someone bring my portmanteau to my room, and have Wilson come take care of my coats and boots. I have not yet engaged a valet at Giddenhall, and I must confess the absence is beginning to show.” Phineas waited in the entry hall until the butler returned with the news that his father was busy for the moment. However, his mother would be happy to see him in the drawing room.
When he entered, his mother was already on her feet, and she stepped forward. “Has your … wife accompanied you here?”
“No, Mother. I would not have brought her without first sending you word. I simply came on a matter of business and would like to stay the night if it will not inconvenience you.”
His mother exhaled and resumed her seat. “I suppose it is good that you have come without her. Then we may talk freely. Please sit. I have asked Seamus to bring us some tea.”
Phineas gave a tight smile. “We could have spoken freely in front of my wife as well.”
“Of course. It is only that she is so newly attached to the family. She does not know our customs, and I believe it will be more comfortable this way.”
Phineas crossed one leg over the other and leaned back in his chair. He could not resist the temptation to talk about Kitty. “Do you not find her lovely? She has a genteel air about her.”
His mother’s gaze flitted to the window, her expression masked. “It is true, she did not smell of the shop, as I must say her brother certainly did. Honestly, Phineas. I do not see how you could have offered for her without having seen even a portrait. One look at her brother ought to have scared you.”
Phineas experienced an odd mix of anger and the desire to laugh. His mother’s sentiment had only echoed his own. Marrying Kitty sight unseen, a penance Phineas imposed upon himself—although Carter had thoroughly investigated the match—was one he could not explain. However, he did not like any aspersions cast on his wife.
“I had my own purposes for wishing to marry her, and looks did not come into the equation. I trusted Carter’s investigation into the matter. As it turns out, I was more than pleasantly surprised, for I was willing to settle for much less.” That last sentence slipped out without his intending it, and he regretted it instantly.
His mother shook her head. “Now, this is what I do not understand. Why would you think about settling for less? We had planned a very good match for you—one whose face you have beheld, and whose family you have known. Her dowry was not to be despised, although it was likely not as much as what you've earned by marrying Miss Stokes.”
Phineas frowned at his mother’s stubbornness. “Miss Stokes is now Lady Hayworth. And if you must know, her settlement was thrice what I would have received from Lady Jane.”
He was not able to continue before his mother gasped, and her hand flew to her mouth. “Three times? It is no small wonder that you did indeed offer for her.”
Phineas tightened his lips and studied his clasped hands. “I did not mean to tout her portion. That is not the main reason I am satisfied in my marriage. Although, I must say that the settlement has helped tremendously to improve the affairs at Giddenhall.” He sighed. “I will own that I did not wish to marry Lady Jane and be slave to the whims and wishes of our two fathers. I wanted something for myself, and that is why I arranged this marriage with Kitty's brother. However, my satisfaction is with my bride more so than her purse.”
The tea tray arrived, and Phineas was spared hearing whatever his mother would have answered, which would not likely honor Kitty for her proper worth. He was not sure his mother was capable of such a thing, considering how highly she rated bloodlines. His father, who was of a much more mercenary nature, would undoubtedly know and appreciate what Phineas had accomplished. The advantageous settlement was the only excuse he could give his parents that they would understand. He could not tell them that, despite his low expectations of such a thing happening, the beginnings of friendship and romantic interest were blossoming with his wife.
His mother began preparing the tea when his father entered the room. She greeted Phineas’s father with cordiality but no warmth. “Midlington, would you care for some tea?”
“Yes, I'll have a cup.” He looked at his son, and Phineas got to his feet.
“Hello, Father. I am here until tomorrow. I needed to speak with Parkson about getting a new steward, as Carter has gone to see his ailing father. He said he would send someone to me next week.”
“Your visit is timely,” his father replied, sitting. “I have several matters to discuss with you regarding those investments that are not going as well as can be hoped. We have to decide what to do. There are some things we must go over with Parkson as well. It should only take a couple days to cover everything.”
Phineas resumed his seat. “Father, I don’t have a couple of days. My intention was to return to Giddenhall tomorrow.” After glancing at his father’s expression, he amended his plan. His father’s reliance on him was not something he could change overnight. “I can stay one extra day, but not more than that.”
“So I suppose Midlington is of no interest to you now?” His father managed to sound haughty and petulant at the same time. “I shall have to see to all the affairs myself.”
“When things are put in order at Giddenhall, I will be very happy to focus my attention once again on Midlington. It is my int
ention to continue to oversee things there, so that I might learn the estate.” Phineas leveled a glance at both his parents. “I only hope that my wife will be welcome as well.”
Lord Midlington tugged at his coat sleeves and folded his arms. “To be frank, I am still irritated with you for this whole affair. If only you had done as I suggested, you would now be married to Lady Jane—a woman who would cause you no embarrassment. As it stands, I have already endured snide comments about the hasty marriage, and the manner in which you ran off afterward. There was not even a wedding breakfast to celebrate it.”
Phineas cast his gaze through the windows on the far side of the room to hide his annoyance. “You said you could not stomach the idea of sitting down with the likes of Stokes and his family for a wedding breakfast. And now you tell me the ton gossips over the lack of a celebration. I am afraid we cannot have it both ways.”
His mother, handing a cup of tea to her husband, added, “Did you know that Phineas has negotiated the obscene sum of seventy-thousand pounds for Kitty's settlement?”
His father dropped his spoon onto the saucer with a loud clatter. “Seventy-thousand? Why did you not think to tell me this before? You have done well in that, at least, although I still say that the bloodline will be clouded by having contracted outside the peerage.”
“I am not the first man to have married for money.” Phineas glanced at his father and decided to speak his mind. “And as I was telling Mother, I believe myself to be fortunate in my choice of a bride. There is nothing in Kitty's demeanor or speech to cause embarrassment. In fact, in many ways she is superior to some of the women who have been brought up in the ton. Her own governess was the daughter of a baron who had fallen on hard times.”
“Which one?” his mother asked curiously.
Phineas stirred sugar into his tea, and he looked up. “I did not think to ask.”
His mother raised an eyebrow and adjusted the teapot on the platter so it was in the center. “It may all be a hoax,” she said, “to make her look more genteel than she truly is.”
Phineas set his cup down abruptly. “If you cannot see for yourself that she has a very genteel manner, I shall not try to convince you. I only desire—if you are to receive her—that you will do so with a modicum of respect. She does not deserve your condemnation.”
His father folded his hands. “When do you plan to bring her to Bath? I suppose we shall have to present her in some way to Society, so that everyone believes we were behind this match from the start.”
Phineas almost could not contain his ire. His parents were so set on appearances. However, there was truth in what he said, and Phineas would not stop his father from doing something noble, even if it were for selfish reasons. “I believe that would be a good idea. Perhaps we should arrange to come to Bath in one month’s time so you may present her. That will allow us to participate in some of the assemblies and be home in time for Christmas.”
His mother furrowed her brows. “You intend to celebrate Christmas with her then? You have always celebrated Christmas with us.”
Phineas did not particularly like their cold, stiff manner of celebrating Christmas. There was an exchange of gifts and stilted dinner conversation, but it was not the Christmas he had always longed for—the Christmas he hoped to celebrate for the first time with his new wife. They would create their own traditions. “I believe Christmas will be better spent at our home, since it is our first one together. We will have much to do at Giddenhall even outside the celebrations.”
His father pulled out his pocket watch and glanced at it. “I don't have any more time to spend sitting here chatting. Now that you're seeing less to the affairs of Midlington, I have much more to do. However, you may bring Kitty, and we will host a ball in her honor. We must introduce her at the Pump Room and get subscriptions for the Upper and Lower assembly rooms. That will show everyone we are perfectly satisfied with this match, and it ought to stop tongues wagging. You will stay here, of course.”
Phineas took a long drink of his tea as he figured out how to answer. Certainly they could stay at his parents’ house. But it wouldn't have the intimacy he was hoping for, especially if they were to make progress in their own relationship. However, it would not do to set his parents at odds. “Very well.”
His father left with a request for Phineas to come find him before dinner, and Phineas spent another half-hour talking with his mother. She spoke about such trivial subjects, he was able to think about Kitty without losing the thread of the conversation. Her hair and eyes floated before his vision, and his heart gave a lurch. He tried to remember her scent. He thought about the shape of her nose, her slender fingers. When his thoughts once again turned to pulling Kitty into an embrace, Phineas forced his mind to the matter at hand. This schoolboy crush he appeared to be experiencing at his ripe—and married—age was not productive.
After his mother had said everything she wished to say, studiously avoiding the subject of his wife, Phineas made his escape, claiming he had errands to run.
His initial reasoning for leaving the house was simply to breathe fresh air and walk off his frustration at being so newly married and not currently with his wife. When he came to his parents’ home, it was as if he were still their boy to order about. As if he had not just taken this monumental step in his own life. He found the experience exasperating, to say the least.
He walked without purpose around Queen’s Square then headed down Wood Street without a clear idea of where he was going. He had no desire to go to the Pump Room and bump into all the local quizzes who would surely have something to say about his marriage. On the other side of the street, a couple walked in the same direction. He didn't recognize them but could tell from their appearance that they were rather well-to-do. Perhaps they had not lived long enough in Bath to have formed acquaintances with local Society. The woman had her hand in the man's arm, and they leaned in close as she whispered something in his ear. The couple laughed, and Phineas saw a look of adoration on the woman's face as she studied her husband. Only a recently betrothed couple could demonstrate such affection.
The woman stopped and called out. “Nurse, take care. Matthew will get his breeches soiled, and we are to visit his grandmother this afternoon with no time to change beforehand.”
Phineas peered ahead to where “nurse” was in charge of two young children. So … this couple had been married for some years now to have produced two children, the eldest of whom was breeched. Yet the husband and wife still looked upon each other with obvious affection. A desire to have such a marriage for himself swept over Phineas—one of such great longing he turned his face away. Their domestic scene was almost too intimate to look upon.
What could he do to win Kitty over? To show her that she mattered to him? Never mind that he had married her for practical purposes, he was fully in this union now and had no regrets—nor desire for another.
“Hayworth!”
A man approached, whom Phineas could not identify with the sun at his back until the man grew nearer. His face was lit in a broad smile.
“Robert Bromley.” Phineas smiled in return. “It has been ages.”
“Not since Cambridge. We’ve recently moved here so my wife could be near her ailing mother. I heard you are married now, as well. Allow me to shake your hand.” Bromley reached out and clasped Phineas’s hand, adding, “Is your wife here in Bath?”
Phineas smiled at the pleasure of hearing the words “your wife” and the novel experience of seeing someone happy for him. He shook his head. “She is at Giddenhall. I did not like it, but I needed to hire another steward, and the business could not wait.”
“Well, fortunately Bath is not far. Do not forget to bring her some gift when you return to let her know you thought of her while here.”
Phineas looked up, surprised. “Is that what I should do?” The words came out before he could think the better of it, and he groaned inwardly. What a way to show that he had absolutely no idea how to be a husband
. Bromley must take him for a simpleton.
His friend merely laughed. “It's a good thing you’ve run into me. I've been married these two years now, and I have experience. Yes, most certainly bring her a gift. You will see that it makes her happy—and if your wife is anything like mine, it won't be the gift, it will be that you thought of her when you were away.”
Well … in for a penny, in for a pound. If Phineas was going to look doltish, he may as well get all the information he could while he was at it. “And what should I get her?”
“You poor fool.” Bromley took the sting out of his words by grinning and clapping Phineas on the back. “You have a long road of learning ahead of you, but have no fear. You will get it eventually. Buy her something that lets her know you’ve thought of her. Something you think she will like. You must know a bit of her tastes by now.”
Phineas managed a smile. He should know her tastes by now, but he wasn't so sure he did. When he remained silent, Bromley studied him more closely. “Well, you're headed in the right direction. The shops are that way. If you’re looking for a modiste, my wife thinks Mrs. Laurent is the best. She’s on Union Street. You could try Franklin Morris, who does portraits and landscapes. He has a gallery with some ready-made paintings a few shops farther on. Other than that, there are no less than three jewelery shops to choose from.”
Phineas, armed with this crucial information gave a genuine smile. “I thank you. This should set me up nicely. I will be bringing Kitty to Bath in a couple weeks. Perhaps we might meet up then if you and your wife are available.”
“With pleasure,” Bromley said and took his leave. Phineas had vaguely heard about Bromley’s wedding when it had occurred, but since such a thing had not at all been in his own plans, Phineas had not paid it any mind. Now things were different.
He entered the first store, and when the modiste stepped forward with her assistant, both assessing him with eager smiles, he knew an impulse to run out. He stood his ground manfully. “I would like to buy something for my wife.”
His Disinclined Bride (Seasons of Change Book 7) Page 10